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MIDGE ROTHROCK’S A SMIDGE WITH MIDGE: Changes, badges and Kenya

Jul 16 2013 11:47 pm

Midland Valley Prep leadership change

Susan McDonald, a member of the Midland Valley Prep’s school board headed by Heath Taylor, says newly appointed Administrator Patti Strom is going gangbusters! Patti had big shoes to fill when Bette Jean Doggart moved to Charleston. Midland Valley Prep, established in 2002, is one of three charter schools in Aiken County and currently has 170 students in grades K-8. The school, under the formal approval of the Aiken County School District, has its own Board of Directors for school policies. Patti began this new role in mid-June and got going right away on upgrades to lighting, signage and Internet access. Now, the school is putting together its library. Book donations for K5-8th grade are welcome. Can you help?

Is there a Scout badge for this?

The July ACTS newsletter reports Holley Heating and Air recently replaced a 20-year-old air conditioning unit. This was possible in part because the St. Paul Lutheran Church Endowment Fund awarded a $1,000 grant. ACTS Board member Dave Buchanan stressed how responsive Holley and particularly Tony Jones (formerly Air Masters, now merged with Holley) have been in their service, generosity and support to ACTS over the years. Good community citizens!

Dave Buchanan also commends Troop #115 from St. Mary’s, led by Bobbie Kitchens. Four adults were joined by seven Boy Scouts, and even one Girl Scout (a sister) who helped save the day on a recent Saturday at ACTS. New flooring had been installed in the pantry. This meant, of course, that everything had to be removed, which was done by some generous adult volunteers earlier. Then, Troop #115 moved in to put the shelving back and restock. They were a tremendous help.

Life for Children in Kenya gets lots of love in Aiken

Dedicated, faithful volunteers Frances Osteen and Jeff and daughter Abby Ray returned safely from their latest journey in support of the Life for Children in Kenya. Frances carries on the family tradition from her parents, still practiced in fine fashion by her mother Catherine Vandegrift. (Just ask anyone sporting a handmade necklace from First Presbyterian Church!) Frances, her husband John, daughter Stephanie Osteen Lord, as well as Carolyn and Jim Heffner, Mary Lou and Jeff Wallace, Charlotte Holley, Michelle Hudgins, Pam Howle, Sue Frushour, and Renee Reid meet monthly to share plans for assisting these innocent orphans. Their focus is on making life better for children who are escaping the ravages of HIV, so destructive to their parents’ generation. Frances will be returning again in later 2013.

Encore 2013 Heart Show Music

July 23 and July 24 are the dates of the popular “Remember Then” 2013 Heart Show music encore performances. This is just the wonderful and familiar music – no acting this time. Check with the Etherredge Center for tickets to a fabulous night of musical entertainment. Call the USC Aiken Etherredge Center box office at 641-3305. Doors open for seating at 7 p.m., and shows start at 7:30. What fun to hear again those doowop sounds sung and accompanied by such a talented group of performers.

Not exactly dry humor

Witty friend Doris Hoffman shared this email: “To think, it only rained twice this summer. Once for 45 days and again for 35 days.”

Midge Rothrock has degrees in communications and an MBA and writes each month in the Aiken Standard’s Mature Times. Send story ideas for “A Smidge with Midge” to Rothrock at smidge@atlanticbb.net.

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